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Choir Gets Off To Festive Start

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN

gnewman@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

PLANT CITY - The inaugural concert for the newly formed Plant City Community Choir was presented Dec. 18, along with the debut of conductor Joseph G. Mendolia.

The choir performed "'Tis the Season," a collection of seasonal songs, instrumentals and sing-alongs at Church on the Rock, 301 E. Alsobrook St.

Mendolia, 20, is a former music student at Plant City High School and will begin his junior year at the University of South Florida in the spring.

"When I first called for auditions, I had no idea what to expect," Mendolia said. "I was pleasantly surprised by the level of skill shown by those who responded."

On top of some well-trained voices, Mendolia was approached by several talented musicians.

"This is a great start for us," Mendolia said. "We appreciate all the help we have received from the community. The Church on the Rock is allowing us to use the church sanctuary as a place to practice come January. And officials at the Cornerstone Center are working with us, too."

The concert was a successful debut, Mendolia said.

"We were most definitely pleased with the performance and the response that we received from the audience," he said.

About 100 attended the concert. Tickets were $5 each to help with expenses. Some of those attending were guests of the choir. But all were encouraged to contribute what they could.

"The complete program took about 45 minutes," Mendolia said. "That included three sing-along songs."

The audience participated in the singing of "Deck the Halls," "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night."

One of the scheduled soloists was unable to perform. Mendolia planned to step in but woke up on the morning of the concert and his voice was gone.

"I asked the performers to take care of their voices during rehearsal that week," Mendolia said. "And I was the one who couldn't sing."

Mendolia solicited pianist Robert Nicholson, a former music teacher at Plant City High School, to save the day. Nicholson sang "Riu, Riu, Chiu," a Spanish tune about the chirping sounds that birds sing.

"When the concert was over, it was a pleasure to see the looks on the faces of the performers," Mendolia said. "When they realized what they had accomplished, completing their first public performance, they all had stars in their eyes. They told me that the look on my face was priceless."

Mendolia first pursued the idea of creating a community choir this past summer. In September, he attended a board meeting at the Plant City Arts Council.

"The board was very impressed with Joseph and his plans for the community choir," board member Dodie White said. "We love the fact that he is supporting the arts in his hometown. He is very serious about his music."

Singers and musicians in the community choir are: Nick Collins, Heather Tillotson, Richard Chaney, Tim Johnson, Kevin Kirkwood, Christina Goosey, Lenn Stone, Jacinth Brown, Jean Smith, Charissa Goosey, Fern Johnson, Elizabeth Creamer, Carol Byers, Angela Capezza, Nicholson, Ashley Delph, Shelby Johnson and Tyler Grimmel.

Mendolia said he is still searching for venues where his choir can perform. He would like to put on four more concerts between now and May.

Tryouts and rehearsals for the 2009 season are set for Jan. 19 at The Church on the Rock. Those interested in supporting or joining the choir can call Mendolia at (813) 263-4091 or e-mail him at plantcitychoir@aol.com.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451.

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